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“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S10852 on Sept. 14, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BENNETT:
S. 1581. A bill to amend the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to provide for the retention and administration of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2 by the Secretary of Energy; to the Committee on Armed Services.
ute economic opportunity act of 1999
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Ute Economic Opportunity Act of 1999.'' This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 9, 1999 by Representative Cannon. Currently, the Department of Energy administers the Naval Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2, which is located in northeastern Utah. A portion of the Oil Shale Reserve exists on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, which belongs to the Ute Indian Tribe. There have been several discussions that contemplate the transfer of the lands of the Oil Shale Reserve to the Bureau of Land Management. Due to the religious and historical significance of certain lands and the presence of wild horses and burros, the Ute Tribe is concerned that any transfer may infringe on their tribal rights and deviate from the current management direction.
This bill would continue the Department of Energy's administration of the Oil Shale Reserve, and also provide a significant opportunity for economic development to the Ute Tribe. The bill requires the Department of Energy to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Ute Tribe to develop a long-term plan to manage, develop, and administer the Oil Shale Reserve. Further, 180 days after enactment of this bill, the Ute Tribe will enter into an oil and gas lease with the Department of Energy to develop the hydrocarbon resources present in the Oil Shale Reserve. It should be noted that the Ute Tribe has a history of responsible stewardship over the development of one of the largest oil and gas fields in Utah. I fully anticipate that the leasing process will go forward in an environmentally responsible manner. I expect nothing less from the Department and the Tribe.
Through the management and utilization of these resources, the Ute Tribe will have an opportunity to develop high quality, high paying jobs that are sorely needed on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation while sustainably managing the land.
The Ute Economic Opportunity Act of 1999 is an important piece of legislation that will allow the Ute Tribe to pursue economic independence.
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